Chaos Theory

UPDATE: I went back in today and tweaked a few things that bugged me art-wise (and a few others from what I read). I also forgot to add Pop’s Dungeon Master tattoo. I really need to stop pushing on comics at 2-3 in the morning and get it right the first time.

It’s Friday and a new d20monkey comic appears!

The argument of old school vs. new school is one I’ve tried to stay away from over the years but it is a discussion that seems to be popping up more lately with D&D Next harkening back to earlier editions of the game. Personally, I say just play what makes you happy.

This is the first comic in a long while where I have really enjoyed writing for Mel. Most folks know/realize that Mel was originally based on my ex-wife and given all of that, she was difficult to draw and write for a while. I’ve missed having her voice in the strip and given the developments with she and Grey, I’m looking forward to having her around

Discussion (41) ¬

This comic could be read as the New School putting the Old School in its place.

That view would be what I like to call bull pucky.

This is an excellent representation of a group of gamers in conflict and a DM who knows how to handle it. I also like how the PvP stuff is able to happen because, under all of the surface conflict, you can tell that everyone in the group respects one another. That’s something that a lot of representations like this miss. You’ve always conveyed that well, Brian. This comic was no exception.

There is no Old Skool vs New Skool D&D players. Because each iteration is almost a new game all in itself. We’re more like 2nd Ed players, and 3.5 players, and 4E players. D&DNext players will be the newest group of roleplayers who are living under an umbrella name, but different game.

I don’t know much about D&D Next, but Pops strikes me as a hardcore 1E gamer; back when D&D was more puzzle gaming than role-playing. He’s the type to crawl through a dungeon as slowly as possible poking everything with a 10-foot-pole. Back in his day, there was a ‘right’ and a ‘wrong’ way to play D&D, and it was possible to ‘win’ or ‘lose’ in an objective sense.

I think it’s rather the other side around. I mean, liberals aren’t really chaotic, they’re actually quite the opposite. More and more laws and regulations, so they’re hardly chaotic good. Then again, none of this applies to reality ever anyway.

I have never liked playing any kind of evil character and Lawful Good always seemed a bit to stuck up for me. So I’ve rolled Chaotic Good on all my Dungeons and Dragons characters. I just like playing *Puts on Sunglasses and deepens his voice* The Good Guy that Lives by His Own Rules. *Jumps in to a pub, kills the bad guy, pulls the blonde to him and kisser, jumps out of the pub and speeds a way in a fashionable car*

Not gonna lie, when Sam said its gonna get real in the last comic, I expected him to pull out the power of the narrative. But, Mel’s solution is equally awesome! I’ve seen paladins played wrong, but I’ve seen them played right too, but man, they seem to get a lousy rap in online gaming comics.

First time I’ve come to comment on this comic. Good stuff, but this arc has finally made me want to speak up, as someone who has been behind the DM screen a few times.

Firstly, it is never alright for one player to force another player to do something or play a certain way. A little bit of infighting sometimes happens, but it can be resolved without resorting to making players bitter at each other. Usually through outside incentives or penalties for non-cooperation. And yes, it is possible for an LG paladin to adventure with “not altogether good” characters, there just needs to be sufficient justification and planning.

Secondly, regardless of what you may think of Sam’s job DM’ing this particular adventure (and for all we know, the whole thing with Charlie was agreed upon beforehand, since he didn’t make a peep about his fighter dying), there is _zero_ excuse for Pops to be acting like this. He talks about respect, but he hasn’t shown any of these people any respect, himself. A DM may be a god over characters, but a DM is _not_ a dictator over players. It’s more akin to an elected position as an arbiter, and he or she will only hold that power as long as the players allow it. Personally, I hope everyone at this table is about to tell Pops where he can shove it if he continues to act this way.

Bottom line, when playing any game, the ground rule should be Wheaton’s Law. Don’t be a dick.

Flat-footed, no dex to AC (not that there’d be much in a paladin’s armor); I’d say 4pts dam tops. So now you have a pissed-off paladin sure that the bard is eeeeeevilllllll. Better have a cleric on-hand to “hold person”, then tie him up while he cools down. A rogue sap to the back of the head (subdual dmg) might have been a better idea. Also …. a paladin, doing random dmg to a helpful golem? I bet his deity pulled the rug out from under him & he’s just a fighter now.

I have a day job and while it is very rare for me to miss an update, this week has been murder personally and professionally. It bugs me to miss updates. I hate it. However, it is GREAT to have someone like you drop in here and throw a bucket of cold snark on me with no clue just how deeply it bothers me. I’m glad you can do that. Freedom of speech and all that. If me missing an update because I am busting my ass to improve my life and do this comic full-time is too much for you to handle, I’ll make sure to get your subscription refund in the mail ASAP.

Pay no attention to the jerk behind the curtain. Most of us appreciate the hell out of getting great comic entertainment like this for free. I read a lot of online comics, and when things get tough for the artist (most do it as a labor of love), updates can vary. That’s how it works. There are some of my favorites that have had a hiatus of months now and then. One artist who does a daily has a wife undergoing chemo. He’s going to be down for a week. One week. Some dick will probably still complain.

I don’t agree with how he put it, but I have to say, it would be wonderful if you could say something on days when you can’t post a comic.

Before you flame, I say that because, when a comic/blog isn’t posted when it is promised, my anxiety makes me go into full-red-alert, klaxons-sounding, this-is-not-a-drill mode, and I automatically think the worst (specifically, you’re dead).

Another observation about the “Senior GM” title. I am actually the Senior GM, as well as President, of my college RPG club. I would NEVER take over somebody else’s game. If I was playing & didn’t agree, I would simply walk away.

Chaotic Good is the ultimate escapist alignment: you’re still the hero of the story, but there’s usually a tacit understanding between the DM and the player that any amount of property damage is acceptable throughout the proceedings.